, 1887-12-11
PARALLEL LINES.

The bright morning sun shone on the
taxus bushes, and sparkled like jewels in
the fresh dew on the grass and flowers.
Tn birds chirped merrily, fitting among
the green branches, and through the
s!lvery spray of the cascade the light
broke in Kaleidoscope rays.
Herr Reinhnrd Won Montgre. the young
tutor Of the house, sat upon the rustic
seat with the little graf, Alphonsc, in
~structing him in the first principles of ge-
omctry. Alphonse was a bright, intel
lcctual little fellow, and an attentive
pupil; but that day he was so absent
minded that the young tutor almost
despaired of making the exercise plain to
him.
"Alphonse, l will be obliged to punish
Won if you do not put your mind on this
lesson. l have told you already three
timea the definition of parallel lines, and
you don't comprehend it yet. Parallel
lines are lines which extend indefinitely,
always the same distance apart, which
in other words-never touch one another.
Lookl' said he, taking his cant and max
ing two marks in the yellow sand at his
feet. these are parallel lines; do you
understand? Now repeat it,"
diAlAGl l4ieS, began Luc lIIle graz,
ARE lines which-which extend indefi-
nitely, always always always that
stork legged Excellenz is coming across
the grass look what q figure he cuts
hal hal hat
A severe look of reproval from the pre-
ceptor Gained the unruly little fellow
somewhat.
Excuse me, Herr Won Montgre; 1 do
clare | could not help it, because"-
well, because
because l can't bear this strange
graf, " was the positive answer.
''And why don't you like him, AL
phonse?n
because he has come to marry Sister
Edith, and will take her back to the
capital with him"
How do you Know that?" asked the
tutor, so suddenly and 50 anSiously that
Alphonse dropped his book in alright.
THE gardener told me, Herr Won
Montgre, " he answered.
Go to your room now, Alphonse, and
resume your studies; l will come to you
later"
Are you angry with me, Herr Won
Montgre?" asked Alphonse in deep con-
Germ,
mo, although you deserve it; you
were inatteutive' and impairment, - said
the tutor as Alphonse turned away.
By this time the ''stork legged Excel
LEM" hed approached, and the gentle
men greebsS one another.
Excellent Graf Poggendorf, chamber
lain TO her majesty, the queen, had for
several days been the honored guest OF
the inmates of the castle. He appeared
to be over 40 years of age, not at all pre-
possessing in his manner, having that air
Of arrogant loftiness often met with
among the members of the queon's
household.
by the way, Herr Won Montgre,"
said the graf, in nasal, condescending
tones, II remember meeting once, in
Paris, a Marquis Montgre de Cheval-
range, very wealthy ancient family of
rank-not related 60 you, 1 believer"
Certainly, Excellenz; he sprang from
that branch of the Montgres who after
the raising of the Edict of Nantes went
back to the old faith, while my ances-
tors. firm in their convictions and true so
their religion, sacrificed their homes and
possessions and emigrated to Germany"
Peculiar people. these ~fanatical refu-
gees, said the graf; 'ruined themselves
and their descendants to crafty a
ANAIAsAoNs Aht SllC al dllHtS "tIt lie
wiser; they took advantage of the circum-
stances, and today are a most highly
honored and powerful family, whIle"-
The descendant of the emigrant is a
poor, dependent private tutor, obliged to
earn his daily bread among strangers.
Speak it out, Excellenz; l Am not
ashamed of these facts, rest assured"
said the tutor.
Tut, tut, young man, as if you ought
to be, in these days when the principles
which were once the creed of the aris-
tocracy are ridiculed as prejudices; l
only mean that it is inexplicable how
some people will detonize their whole
lives under such circumstances"
Il agree with you perfectly, Excel
lenz, said Montgre, s~ardonically.
The chamberlain rewarded him with a
penetrating glance, and said:
The ladies have no yet arisen, Herr
Won Montgre."
''On the contrary, Excellenz, they are
taking q walk to the village, and will
soon return"
"Ah, Of course, you are all early risers
in the country; MontGre, this little COM
tesse Is u charming Creature-one of
those peculiar beauties which crows con-
t~inually more bewitching; she will Gre
ate a furore at the capital, without
doubt"
Il don't believe, Excellenz, hat the
comtesse would enjoy creating a sensa-
ton at court, said Moutgre, angered by
the careless manner in which he spoke OF
Edith.
''Oh, who can understand a womauf
She will be admired and sought after by
al, and admiration is just as essential to
their existence as eating and sleeping.
Comtesse Edith will gladly exchange this
monotonous country life for the gay 20
ciety Of the capital"
80 Comtesse Edith has already con
beuted! faltered Montgre, controlling
his voice with great difficulty.
Not exactly, but / am sure of gaining
my pcint. Her mother favors it quite